Rathlin to Glenarm
Purple Mist
Skipper: Kate Cope
Sun 11 May 2025 16:30
Day 4: Rathlin to Glenarm. A short hop today as we fancied a small harbour rather than the bright lights of Bangor Marina. We departed Rathlin at what was supposed to be slack water but still picked up 4kts of positive tide down the south side of the island. Through the gap between the Mull of Kintyre and Fair head (NE corner of Ireland) the tidal eddies and mini whirlpools were like hurst narrows on steroids.
Wind accelerated to 17kts on the nose but the welcome 3kts of tide meant we could easily sail and it just took a couple of tacks. Then as quickly as it arrived the wind dropped to 2kts and time for the engine. We crossed our fingers but unfortunately the heeling meant the pump had lost its water again so we had to reprime to get it pumping water . As someone asked me how you do that you need to turn off the sea water inlet seacock , then fill the strainer with water, start the engine then open the seacock. We are dab hands at it now. As I’ve had this problem happen to both my Purple Mists, once in some very dodgy conditions off St Vaast, I’ve recommended a new water pump to the owner. We had tried everything to fix on the Purple Mists including once stealing the crews single malt to clean the pump facing - 7 years on they are still in shock at the waste of alcohol.
Glenarm is a cute little harbour once a major trading port of limestone off to the furnaces of the Clyde , now a little marina. Harbour full of Black guillemots bobbing about and the river entrance has swallows skitting over the water
